December 1, 2021 @ 8:00 AM

The Millennium

Introduction

We have covered a lot of ground in this End Times series! We have looked at the events happening on earth before, during, and after the Great Tribulation. We have looked at events happening in heaven during the Great Tribulation. Now, following the Battle of Armageddon we are back on earth with our King, Jesus Christ, and ready to rule with Him for 1000 years. It will be a rule of absolute peace and tranquility. The lion will lie down with the lamb and a little child will play with vipers. Let’s learn more about this idyllic time on earth.

I.  What is the Millennium and what are its characteristics?

  1. Millennium comes from two Latin words – “mille” meaning 1,000 and “annum” meaning year.  The Millennium then is that period of 1,000 years described in Revelation 20.
  2. The Millennium is known by various names:  to the people of Israel it was most often referred to as “The Kingdom”.  In the early Christian church it was called “The Times of Refreshing”.  To others it is referred to as “The World to Come”.
  3. The Millennium features a number of important prophetic fulfillments.
  4. God will take up residence among men and rule all the earth.  This will occur through the person of Jesus Christ.  Upon His return to earth and victory at Armageddon, Jesus will judge the nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat and Israel as a nation.  His judgment will determine who will enter the millennium.  Christ will enter Jerusalem through the Beautiful Gate (in the Eastern Wall of Jerusalem) and will take His seat in the Temple.  From His throne (David’s promised throne – 2 Samuel 7:13), He will hold court and will rule the world.
  5. Ruling with Christ in the Temple will be the twelve Apostles.  Their specific area of jurisdiction is the nation of Israel.  From these twelve thrones they will mete out justice.
  6. The earth will be at peace, as will its inhabitants.  Natural predators such as wolf, the lion and the bear will become vegetarians and will play alongside their former prey.  Infants will play with once-deadly serpents.  There will be 1,000 years of peace and tranquility for both man and beast.
  7. Satan will be bound in the Pit during this reign of Christ.  Men and women will not be tempted to sin and there will be perfect justice for those who do.  Longevity of life will be greatly increased with men and women living well into their 100’s.
  8. The weather will be controlled by Christ, as will the crops and all commerce.  Every inhabitant will make yearly pilgrimages to worship Christ.  It is a forced pilgrimage in which men must come or suffer drought in their land.
  9. All men will believe that Jesus is the Messiah of God.  Everything will be considered holy and dedicated to Him (even down to cooking utensils and the bells on horses bridles!).
  10. The productivity of the earth will be phenomenal as deserts and previously uncultivable wilderness are brought to life and produce great harvests to feed the nations.
  11. The eternal home of the saints of God, The New Jerusalem, will be suspended over the earth.

II.  What role will believers in Christ play in the Millennium?

The Bible indicates that believers in Christ will reign with Him.  Clad in our new resurrection bodies, we shall judge angels and rule the nations.  The sphere and extent of our rule is directly proportional to faithfulness in service for Christ.  Faithfulness, not giftedness or talent or wealth, is the measuring stick used by Christ.  (This is borne out at the Bema Seat of Christ – see “The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and the Judgment Seat of Christ”.)

III.  Key Scriptures:

A.  Old Testament:  Isaiah 11:1-16, 2:1-4, Ezekiel 20:37,38, Joel 3:2, Zechariah 14:9-11, 16-21, Micah 4:1-5, Isaiah 9:7, 19:16-25, 25:1-12, 26:1-6, 32:1-18, 35:1-10, 56:1-8, 60:1-22, 65:17-25, Daniel 7:18-28.

B. New Testament:  Matthew 19:27-30, 25:1-46, Acts 3:19-21, I Corinthians 3:10-15, I Corinthians 6:1-3, Hebrews 2:5-8, Revelation 11:15, 19:11-16, 20:1-8.

IV.  Summary:

            The Millennium is that glorious period that Israel has looked forward to for many centuries.  It is when her Messiah actually does bodily return to set up His Kingdom upon the earth.  It will be a reign of 1,000 years of peace and tranquility.